Friday Night Links 15 September 2023
As I research topics related to USS Franklin and its crew, I have collected quite a few interesting links to movies, documentaries, oral histories, podcasts, and more. Some of these are specific to Franklin, others take a higher-level view of the Asian-Pacific theater in World War II. I hope you’ll enjoy these as much as I did.
USS Franklin Related Links
USS Franklin – Surviving A Comet Strike by Drachinifel
If you want to watch YouTube videos on topics related to military ships of various navies and time periods, Drachinifel is a “must subscribe.” Here he gives a very good overview of the events of 19 March 1945.
The Ship That Wouldn’t Die: USS Franklin
This 1969 documentary was aired on NBC-TV and was made when it was learned that Big Ben was to be sold for scrap. Actor/Director Gene Kelly narrated the documentary as he was assigned to the crew that filmed Franklin as she entered the Brooklyn Naval Yard in April 1945. Captain Leslie Gehres and others of the crew, including Medal of Honor winner Lt. Donald Gary participated, talking about what they witnessed and did. I was amazed to see Gary, then in his 60’s, running up ladders and along decks like a sprinter as he recreated much of his escape from the messroom. (The heading on the YouTube video misnames the ship. She was not “USS Ben Franklin.”)
Battle Stations
Released in 1956, this movie starred John Lund, Richard Boone, and William Bendix. Serving as one of the technical advisors on the film was Rear Admiral Joe Taylor, USN (Ret.) a three-time awardee of the Navy Cross, who was the exec on Big Ben during the attack. I saw this movie (or at least the last part of it, one day when I was a teenager, trying to find something of interest to watch on a rainy weekend afternoon. The movie includes actual footage of the aftermath of the attack.
Ray Bailey Oral History
Mr. Bailey gives a great deal of good information about the ship and its crew. This is one of my favorite oral histories about the ship and her crew.
Video of Purple Heart Presentation to Some of Big Ben’s Crew April 1945
Ultimately, the US Navy would award 808 Purple Hearts to those KIA and 347 more to those wounded in action. (There is no audio of the film.)
Pacific Theater Related Links
Episode 225: Downfall-Why Japan Surrendered With Very Special Guest Richard Frank
“Unauthorized History of the Pacific War” is both a podcast and a YouTube channel. If you are on the move, listen to the podcast, if you can watch, they often show maps, film, and photos. In this episode, they interview historian Richard Frank, author of Tower of Skulls, the first book in a trilogy on the Asian-Pacific War. Frank knows his stuff and I consider him one of my role models when it comes to meticulous research.
The F4U Corsair and ‘Devotion’
The Fighter Pilot Podcast (also a YouTube channel) is a must-listen if you are interested in military aviation past or present. I’ve been a fan of WWII aircraft since I was eight years old and the Corsair is my favorite WWII fighter (edging out the P-51D Mustang). This is an interview with someone who currently owns a Corsair that flew in the Korean War. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I am a Corsair geek.
Did you arrive here via a search engine? I am the author of the forthcoming book, Heroes By The Hundreds: The Story of the USS Franklin (CV-13). In addition to writing about the bravery of the crews that saved her, I will be writing about the lessons we can learn in leadership and crisis management. I’ll also write about the changes the US Navy made as a result of those lessons learned.
I send out a monthly newsletter, Glenn’s After-Action Report, writing about subjects I find interesting in my research. You can sign up for it below. Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question. Thanks for reading.-Glenn
